as in preparatory
coming before the main part or item usually to introduce or prepare for what follows
we need to do some preliminary research in order to properly focus the experiment
Synonyms & Similar Words
Relevance
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in prelude
a performance, activity, or event that precedes and sets the stage for the main event
a meeting to discuss seating arrangements that was merely a preliminary to the formal negotiating sessions
Synonyms & Similar Words
Example Sentences
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of preliminary
Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The organization filed a lawsuit in April and a motion for preliminary injunction in May on behalf of 12 students and their families seeking to declare the enforcement of the executive orders unconstitutional.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Adjective
The federal agency can then seek preliminary approval after sharing approximately 30% of the design drawings, followed by final approval after sharing about 70% of the designs.
—Peter Charalambous, ABC News, 23 Oct. 2025
The organization filed a lawsuit in April and a motion for preliminary injunction in May on behalf of 12 students and their families seeking to declare the enforcement of the executive orders unconstitutional.
—Leo Bertucci, Louisville Courier Journal, 22 Oct. 2025
Noun
The sheriff's office preliminary determined that the body belonged to the missing teenager.
—Jenna Sundel, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 Aug. 2025
The women’s steeplechase preliminaries begin Sept. 15 with the finals to follow on Sept. 17.
—Idaho Statesman, 4 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for preliminary
Recent Examples of Synonyms for preliminary
Adjective
-
Pacific Ridge School, an independent, co-ed, college preparatory day school in Carlsbad, started its 19th academic year with the Annual Trustee Dinner.—
News Release,
San Diego Union-Tribune,
10 Oct. 2025
-
Those preparatory projects included the installation of new capping roofs to weatherproof the buildings for a long period of care and maintenance, as well as the rerouting of electrical supplies and de-planting of boiler equipment.—
Aman Tripathi,
Interesting Engineering,
8 Oct. 2025
Noun
-
The campaign to defund the arts, capture our museums, and rewrite our history is a prelude to silencing dissent itself.—
Andrew Weinstein,
Time,
24 Oct. 2025
-
Maduro, meanwhile, has framed the buildup as a prelude to invasion and praised Venezuela’s readiness to defend its sovereignty.—
Amanda Castro,
MSNBC Newsweek,
24 Oct. 2025
Adjective
-
Onward and upward By the end of its introductory episodes, Dispatch has successfully employed the traditional two-part pilot structure most sitcoms need to lay their groundwork.—
Christopher Cruz,
Rolling Stone,
22 Oct. 2025
-
Sign up today with coupon code EARLYBIRD for an introductory discount of 20% off.—
Megan Sauer,
CNBC,
22 Oct. 2025
Cite this Entry
“Preliminary.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/preliminary. Accessed 29 Oct. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share